Robot-assisted laparoscopic total and partial gastric resection with D2 lymph node dissection for adenocarcinoma.

Background: Lymph node dissection and esophageal anastomosis, considered the more demanding steps of laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma, can be performed with the use of a remote-controlled robot.

Methods: Thirteen patients with a histologically proved gastric cancer (six stage I, six stage II, and one stage III) were enrolled in a prospective study to assess feasibility and safety of the Da Vinci surgical system in total and partial gastrectomy with extended lymph node dissection. Outcome measures were conversion rate, intra- and postoperative morbidity and mortality, operative time, blood loss, number of lymph nodes harvested, and macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of resection margins.

[Laparoscopic repair of incisional and umbilical hernias. Our experience].

Background: Incisional hernia is a frequent complication of abdominal surgery (2-20% of all cases). Recurrence rate after simple repair without mesh is very high. The use of prosthetic materials has reduced the recurrences.

A modified umbilical incision for specimen extraction after laparoscopic abdominal surgery.

Background: One advantage of laparoscopic surgery over open surgery is the absence of laparotomic incisions. This advantage is reduced when an auxiliary incision is performed to remove surgical specimens larger than the trocar.

Methods: A special incision was performed at umbilical trocar level that enabled removal of a large surgical specimen as in right hemicolectomy (colic), gastric resection, and splenic surgery.

Comparing fibrin sealant with staples for mesh fixation in laparoscopic transabdominal hernia repair: a case control-study.

Background: Laparoscopic hernia repair is not as popular as cholecystectomy. We have performed more than 3,000 laparoscopic herniorrhaphies using the trans-abdominal (TAPP) technique. To prevent recurrences we fix the polypropylene mesh with staples.